Dear Reader,
This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children. Each post will highlight a great book that all children should hear, with tips to enrich beginning reading skills. You will also find fun recipes that go along with each story. Enjoy reading and cooking with the children in your life.
*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
Turkey Trouble By: Wendi Silvano Illustrated by: Lee Harper
Ages: Toddlers through Second Grade
The turkey in our story has a very big problem to solve. Thanksgiving is coming and he knows that he might be the main course for dinner. He tries many different disguises that “almost” work, but not quite. Read and find out how turkey’s problem is finally solved. This is a great read-a-loud for predicting and problem solving.
Tips for Reading:
- Read the title of the book to the child and ask him/her to look at the cover and predict what the story might be about.
- As you read the story to the child, pause to discuss the costumes that Turkey made and why they were just “almost” okay.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you why the Rooster costume may not have been a good idea.
- After reading, ask the child to recall the animal costumes that Turkey made and which costume really worked.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you which of Turkey’s costumes that he/she liked best and why.
Additional Books:
- The Great Thanksgiving Escape By: Mark Fearing
- How to Catch a Turkey By: Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton
- The Berenstain Bears Thanksgiving All Around By: Mike Berenstain
- Just a Special Thanksgiving By: Mercer Mayer
Cooking Time:
Turkey and Broccoli Pizza
The turkey in our story was safe, but most Thanksgiving meals do include turkey. This is a healthy and easy recipe for using the leftovers. Children can help by adding the ingredients to the pizza and kitchen clean-up.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
1 prebaked Italian pizza crust (14 to 16 ounces)
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups fresh chopped broccoli
1 1/2 cups cubed cooked turkey (Can also use chicken.)
1 can condensed broccoli cheese soup
1/3 cup milk
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons Italian bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, melted
3/4 cup real bacon pieces
- Place the pizza crust on the pizza pan.
- Brush the crust with the olive oil.
- Spread the turkey and broccoli evenly over the crust.
- Combine the soup and milk.
- Spread the soup mixture over the turkey and broccoli.
- Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the pizza.
- Combine the bread crumbs and butter.
- Sprinkle evenly over the cheese.
- Sprinkle the bacon evenly over the cheese.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Tasty Turkey Delights
These easy to make turkeys are perfect for any Thanksgiving event. Children will love assembling and eating these sweet treats. Children can help by rolling the turkey bodies and adding the candy corn as well as kitchen cleanup.
1/4 cup butter
4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups rice cereal such as Rice Krispies
28 chocolate sandwich cookies such as Oreos
1 1/2 cup chocolate frosting (Can use canned frosting.)
1 package candy corn (112 pieces)
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter on low heat.
- Add the marshmallows and stir until they are melted.
- Remove from the heat and add the cereal.
- Stir until the marshmallow mixture coats all of the cereal.
- With buttered hands, form the cereal mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls.
- Twist apart each cookie.
- Spread frosting on each half of the cookies.
- Place a cereal ball on top of one of the iced cookie halves.
- Place 3 pieces of candy corn on the other iced half to form the turkey tail.
- Then place the tail onto the back of the ball.
- Add a drop of icing on the front of the ball and then place another piece of candy on the icing to form the turkey’s face.
Makes 28 turkeys.
